Ship guiding system



Aug. 27, 1946. RYAN SHIP GUIDING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 8; 1945 Aug. 27, 1946. w. RYAN 2,406,512

SHIP GUIDING SYSTEM Filed June 8, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

WiH IcLm Ryan Y ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 27, 1946 OFFICE 2,406,512 SHIP GUIDING SYSTEM William Ryan, New York, N. Y.

Application June 8, 1945, Serial No. 598,375

This invention relates to new and useful im' provements in a ship guiding system.

More specifically, th invention proposes the construction of a ship guidin system characterized by a continuous conductor supported in a harbor or other body of water for defim'ng a lane over which a ship may safely travel to a desired destination through a mine field.

Still further the invention proposes the provision of a novel means for supporting a conductor in a fixed position submerged slightly below the surface of the water and connected with a means for sending a signal current through the conductor.

Still another object of the invention proposes the provision of a detector unit aboard ships through which the captain of the ship may receive the signals being sent through the conductor to assist in properly navigating the ship through the mine field to its destination.

In a modification of the invention it is proposed to provide several misleading loops in the continuous conductor which will set up extremely strong signals and tend to confuse captains of enemy vessels and influence them to direct the movement of their ships into the mine field.

It is a further object of this invention to construct a pilot for ships which will be simple and durable and fool-proof in its operation to insure the safety of vessels when passing through a friendly mine field.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure- Fig. l is a plan view of a portion of a body of water provided with a pilot for ships constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of a standard amplifier unit of the type which might be provided aboard friendly vessels for use in connection with this invention.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a modification of the invention.

The pilot for ships, according to this invention, includes a continuous conductor H) for location in a harbor or other body of water II for 2 Claims. (01. 117-385) defining a lane l2 over which a ship may safely travel to a desired destination. While this desired destination is not specifically illustrated on the drawings, it might be a dock or other similar safe anchorage in the body of water I I.

A means is provided for retaining the conductor H) in a suspended position submerged slightly below the surface of the body of water I i. This means comprises resilient tubular members I3 provided on the conductor W at positions spaced along the length thereof. Vertical cables id have their top ends engaged about the resilient tubular members l3 and securely retained in position by means of clamps H5. The bottom ends of the cables is are securely attached to anchors l6 which rest on the bottom of the body of water II.

The ends of the conductor H] are connected with a means I! for sending a signal current through the conductor [0 to be picked up by ships. The ships are to be provided with a detector for receiving the signals passing through the conductor I B. This detector might be a standard amplifier unit l8 of the type illustrated schematically in Fig. 4.

The conductor in is characterized by a longitudinal loop [0a extending parallel to a shore line or other similar surface and continues into a transverse portion lllb leading to the shore line or other safe anchorage area surrounding the path outlined by these portions llla and IE1). The harbor or other body of water H is provided with a plurality of mines E9.

The operation of the pilot for ships constructed in accordance with this invention is as follows:

The captain of a ship approaching a friendly port and desiring to enter the port and avoid the mines positioned in this harbor turns on his detector unit I8 and listens for the signal being sent along the conductor l0. Upon receiving this signal he navigates his ship into a position in which he hears the signal strongest. At the point where he hears the signa1 strongest he will know that his ship is in the path outlined by the conductor and he may then navigate the ship along this path at which he hears the signal strongest to take the ship safely into the port and anchor it at the dock or other desired anchorage point.

In the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 5 the construction of the pilot for ships is similar to that previously described except for the provision of misleading loops We in the longitudinal loop Illa of the conductor l9.

These misleading loops Inc are constructed by twisting portions of the conductor to form crossing areas. These crossing areas will act to set up extremely strong signals. Captains of friendly vessels will be notified that extremely strong signals received after receiving the initial signal are deceptive signals and will not be influenced thereby. However, the captains of unfriendly vessels upon receiving these strong signals will be influenced thereby to change thecourse of their ships and will be caused to navigate them directly into the mine field Where they will bedestroyed.

In other respects this form of the invention is similar to that previously shown and like reference numerals identify like parts in each 9f the Several Views While I have illustrated and described thepreferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus describedmy invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

' ceiving said signals for location on a ship and 1. A guide means for ships, comprising a continuous conductor for location in a harbor or other body of water and defining a lane over which a ship may safely travel to a desired destination, means for sending a signal current through said conductor, and a detector for receiving said signals for location on a ship and misleading loops formed in said conductor for confusing the enemy and leading them into a mine field.

2. A guide means for ships, comprising a continuous conductor for location in a harbor or other body of water and defining a lane over which a ship may safely travel to a desired destination, means for sending a signal current through said conductor, and a detector for remisleading. loops formed in said conductor for confusing the enemy and leading them into a.

mine field, said misleading loops being formed in a longitudinal loop formed in said conductor and which continues into a transverse loop leading to the desired destination.

WILLIAM RYAN. 

